Psalm 103 Bless the Lord O my Soul! .pdf - Biblical Counseling Online

a. He knows as deeply as He cares: knows us better: we know ourselves. Makerb. He is not shocked when we fail Him. Mercifulc. Recall Garden: Didn t destroy Adam, clothed shame & nakednessd. Frail under temptation s pressure. Because we know that He understands us,He will not tempt us beyond what we can bear.e. Frail with fear, frail in understanding. Ready to give up.f. You can call out to Him as a Father: Don t need to understand Bibleperfectly. Don t need to have life completely cleaned up. Illus: Some peoplewon t be hospitable unless house is perfect > never have anyone over. Somenever approach God unless life is all straight: Will never! Come to Him now!Cry out for mercy. Broken sentences. Prodigal son!g. Our hope rests not in the strength of our perseverence, but His faithfulness.C. The LORD elevates transitory temporal man to share His eternity. v. 15-18Expands theme: weakness of our frame.1. Your life fades like the grass. v. 15-16 Ps. 37:2 78:39 90:5 Isa. 40:6-8 Job 7:10a. Our frame is weak and our days are short.b. How many generations have come and gone since David. Returned to dust.c. We are so fragile. Sudden wind can blow: earthquake, plague, diseased. We are so transitory: Live is very very short.e. Point: Such great lovingkindness bestowed upon those w/no claim upon it.2. Our God shows His eternal lovingkindness to us. v. 17a. Even though we have no intrinsic worth, He has shown mercy.b. He is everlasting. Ps. 90:2c. He has set us apart from the rest of dying humanity. Powerful actd. We are reborn of incorruptible seed which lives and abides forever.D. The LORD s lovingkindness extends to those who fear Him, keep His covenant, andfollow His precepts.. v. 11,17-18 Ro. 8:281. David is not offering unwarranted comfort to those who are careless about sin.2. Those who are rightly related to God happily keep His precepts. v. 18b3. His blessings extend to our children who believe. Ex. 20:6 34:7 Ps. 102:28Acts 2:39 Lu. 1:50 Deut. 7:9a. He takes interest in our children.b. Benefits are only for those who keep His covenant. v. 18c. Address our children: Hear and believe!E. The LORD has been gracious and merciful to you in Christ.1. He delivers you from oppressors. v. 6 II Th. 1:6f2. He has revealed Himself to you. v. 7-8 Heb. 1:1f John 1:13. He is gracious and patient with you. v. 9a. He is merciful and gracious: ready to pardon sinners.b. Great fountain of living water offered freely to all who will drink.5